Founded in 1988, the Pelicans were originally known as the Charlotte Hornets. Like most expansion teams, they struggled in their first few seasons. The team drafted forward Larry Johnson in 1991 and center Alonzo Mourning the following year. The pair helped Charlotte make its first playoff appearance in 1993. The Hornets went on to post-season play 3 additional times in the 1990s, but never advanced past the second round.

In 1999–2000 the Hornets began a stretch of 5 consecutive post-season appearances behind the standout play of guard Baron Davis,. Despite the team’s on-court success, their attendance numbers were among the lowest in the league. Owner George Shinn moved the franchise to New Orleans in 2002 after he was unable to secure a new arena for the team.

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina displaced the team for a few seasons, but they returned to New Orleans in the 2007–2008 season and won their first division title in franchise history. In 2012, Tom Benson, owner of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, became owner of the Hornets as well. Looking to cement ties with its home city, the franchise changed its name to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2013.

The Pelicans drafted forward-center Anthony Davis who took the league by storm and led the team to the playoffs in the 2014–2015 season. New Orleans Pelicans Ticket Holders were hopeful due to franchise’s newfound success, but the Pelicans struggled through an injury-riddled 2015–2016 season. New Orleans rebounded the following year, but couldn’t make it past the second round of the playoffs.

New Orleans Pelicans Ticket Holders root for their team at their home stadium, Smoothie King Center. Fans of the Pelicans can get their tickets from Golden Tickets.